Now that Andoni Iraola's first pre-season tour as Liverpool head coach has come to an end, it is time to take a look at the winners and losers in the squad.
There was a lot of question marks over some players in the squad, if they could keep their place at the club or being forced to explore their options elsewhere.
It was also a fantastic opportunity for the academy lads, with a new boss walking through the door, it gave them a chance to prove they are good enough to make the step up into senior football. Especially with Iraola having a track record of giving chances to younger players, believing if you are good enough then age does not matter.
It is fair to say that there has been winners and losers in the squad, some players taking the chance to impress while others did not hit the ground running. With Newcastle looming on Sunday now is the time in the transfer window for Iraola to decide who he wants in his squad next season.
1. Terrific Trey Nyoni
One player who really took the opportunity to impress with both hands was Trey Nyoni, the 19-year-old midfielder was exceptional every time he was given a chance to play. His performances out in the United States has put his name in conversations to start the opening game of the Premier League season.
Nyoni looks so composed for his age, the youngster shows so much maturity in his game. The way he is so comfortable dropping deep with the defence in build-up, every time he picks up the ball Nyoni is looking for the forward pass and his defensive awareness has improved massively since the previous season.
Former manager Arne Slot stated many times in press conferences last season that he regretted not playing Nyoni more, as he believed he was ready for senior football. Andoni Iraola seems to agree, playing 252 minutes throughout pre-season has definitely shown Liverpool fans that Nyoni will play a big role in the upcoming season
2. Jacquet's perfect debut
Jeremy Jacquet introduced himself to the Liverpool faithful in some style last Sunday in their 2-0 victory over Como 1907. The French defender brought in for £60 million in January, produced a fantastic 45 minute performance in front of his new fanbase. Picking up a goal to go alongside his impressive performance, Jacquet showed the world why Liverpool spent so much money on him.
There was a lot of concern in the centre back position for the Reds going into the new season, Jacquet had been managed throughout the tour due to a knock in training, Geovanni Leoni still recovering from his ACL injury, Joe Gomez picking up a injury in his first game and Ronald Araujo joining the club a week prior.
With Konate leaving Merseyside to join Real Madrid, it was vital Liverpool keep the position covered with depth and quality.
After that display a few days ago, Liverpool fans worries can rest at ease knowing they have a quality replacement ready to get up and running in the new season.
3, Impressive Lewis Koumas
The most surprising one on this list, Lewis Koumas with a fantastic pre-season. The Welsh Winger came back from his loan spell at Hull determined to force his way into Andoni Iraola's plans and he certainly did that.
The 20-year-old picked up one goal during pre-season but it was not his output that caught the eyes of Liverpool fans, his relentless work rate and pace during the press was a real eye-catcher. It seems like a perfect match for what Iraola wants from his attackers, being able to work hard off the ball and put the opposition defenders under pressure.
A player I am sure many Liverpool fans were expecting to go back out on loan this season, Koumas has put his name in contention to feature for the Reds this season.
4. Opportunity missed for Harvey Elliott
Someone who needed a massive pre-season was definitely Harvey Elliott, the midfielder experiencing a horrible season last year thanks to circumstances he could not control. Elliott needed to come back and impress if he wanted to play a part in Iraola's plans this season.
Unfortunatly he just never really got going, Elliott looked a few yards behind the rest of his teamates and that year out of football he had may have caught up to him. A player many people had high hopes for, the best solution for both parties may be for the 23-year-old to move somewhere he can play every week and build back up to the player all Liverpool fans know he can be.
Nothing is confirmed over the future of the midfielder right now, so it will be intriguing to see where Elliott ends up by the end of the transfer window.
5. Ciao Curtis Jones
With every day that goes by, it looks like Curtis Jones will not be a Liverpool player by the end of the transfer window. With Inter Milan set to bid again for the midfielder, it seems that all parties want to get this deal done. Jones himself has not hidden the possibility of him leaving the club, liking multiple posts on social media related to the Italian side.
In the games the scoucer did feature in he was not at his best, off the pitch Jones did not cover himself in glory either. An argument involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Kostas Tsimikas surfaced online, showing the 25-year-old visibly upset over something that had happened during the match against Wrexham.
Even if all issues are resolved now, fans online did not take well to the attitude of Jones in the video taken. Iraola also did not include the scouser in any of the three matches after the America tour, another sign that the midfielder may not be sticking around for the new season.
A fantastic servant to Liverpool, winning every trophy possible with his boyhood club, Jones can board that plane to Milan with his head held high, knowing that he had done everything he could for his team.
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